asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will make a statement on the EEC policy in respect of the importation of sheepmeat from third countries; and if he will indicate its effect on the price level of sheepmeat, particularly in England and France.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sheepmeat Imports.
24.
The only EEC regulation in relation to imports of sheepmeat from third countries is the requirement under Article 59 of the Treaty of Accession that the new member states must align their customs tariff by stages with the common customs tariff of 20 per cent. This alignment will be concluded as from 1st July, 1977.
The effect in the UK of the tariff alignment would be difficult to isolate because other factors, such as volume of imports and of home production and prices of other meats affect the price level of sheepmeat there.
The situation in France is that the common customs tariff applies. In addition, France operates a system of minimum import prices and levies on imports of sheep and sheepmeat from third countries and from the new member states designed to maintain a high level of sheepmeat prices.